Lackawanna Blues is the story of Junior (Marcus Carl Franklin) and his life growing up in an upstate New York boarding house run by Nanny (S. Epatha Merkerson, A Girl Thing, She's Gotta Have It, "Law & Order"). Nanny is the mother of the African-American community there in the 1950s and '60s, and many of her tenants are misfits who all find a family there under her watchful eye and loving heart.

Ricky (Adina Porter, Gia) is one such boarder, a butch lesbian who looks fine in a man's suit. Says Junior, "I thought Ricky was the coolest dude living there ... and she was." Ricky is a constant in the house over the years, often in the background, but without much character development or a storyline of her own.

Most of the film focuses on Nanny and Junior's observations of her as she takes care of countless individuals who need a helping hand. The supporting cast is amazing, with Mos Def, Louis Gossett Jr., Macy Gray, Ernie Hudson, Rosie Perez, Jimmy Smits and Patricia Wettig. The other constant is great music, especially when it comes to the blues.

Based on the autobiographical one man show by Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Their Eyes Were Watching God) and co-produced by Halle Berry. Although Ricky has a small part, this is a very moving drama with a fine soundtrack.